My Art in the Making - Painting an Epic Waterfall - Part 2

in art •  7 years ago 

Hi there

I'd love to show you the process of how I painted an epic waterfall scene of The Kimberley in Western Australia. Due to the length of my article, I've cut it into 3 parts. Enjoy!

If you want to check out Part 1 , click below:
https://steemit.com/painting/@andrew.tischler/my-art-in-the-making-painting-an-epic-waterfall

Part 2

Step Two – Shifting Elements

I had not anticipated what a change in scale would do to the composition. Something niggled at me and I need to change something. After sitting with the painting for hours scratching my head I realized the cliffs could use some enlargement and extra character. I thought about how the cliffs would look it you were to approach them. It then took on a different vantage point from closer to the base of the cliff, and this made the geology a little more pronounced. Simultaneously, this diminished the waterfalls by comparison. This wasn’t entirely a bad thing, as it added another level of depth through forced perspective. I sketch in new lines on the painting and then fill in the shape to allow the cliff to meet this new edge.

As I stand back and observe the scene fully I begin to see other possible changes. Whilst I am happy with the mood of the sky, I believe it has become too heavy to the right of the main cliffs. The storm forms a concentric ring, encircling a blue window and this happens to be nestled in the similarly shaped curve of the receding cliffs. This must be changed. I think I may introduce an open patch of sky here. Perhaps this change may allow for some restful place in the composition? I think so.

Before

After

Step Three – Modelling Zones

Modelling the individual zones of this epic painting can take several weeks. This painting was on the studio wall for 6 weeks total! The hours are long and a typical work week can see me putting in 60 hours of “Easel Time”, even more if there is an intense deadline. It’s all part of the fun! The most involved part of this long and arduous process is the modelling. This is where tones are teased out, and manipulated with greater sensitivity, and more complicated colour mixtures are introduced.

Now I require a little more structure in my cliffs. I must emphasize the fissures and cracks that run along its face in a linear horizontal fashion. There is an added bonus with these lines, where as they climb the height of the cliff, they begin to angle downwards towards the horizon, enforcing a sense of perspective. The structure of the cliff begins to take shape. I am using a Burnt Umber and Ultramarine mix to create a dark tone, painted in with a bristle wedge shaped brush.

My Sky starts to gain complexity. I begin to map out even more colours. I start by intensifying the range of blues in the window of open sky. This is the same combination of blues as I have already mentioned, however, I increase the saturation here. It just so happens that blue looks quite intense when placed adjacent to its complement, orange. I employ a technique called optical colour mixing which is based on fragmented colours congealing and mixing together when viewed from a distance. I want the resulting surface to feel alive and “crawl”. This is achieved by increase the amount of single brush marks and varying the colours ever so slightly across the surface.

Now that I have cloud-masses I can shine light on them and allow them to take on even more shape. I strive to make each shape unique, and though there may be a pattern in the way clouds are formed I try to make each cloud individual in its character.

Cliffs

The most complex part of the painting would have to be the cliffs. Now that I have a good base to work with I take on the cliff one patch at a time. There is no shortcut that I know of when it comes to painting this kind of sedimentary deposit. I model each brick as it is a form in its’ own right. It has a highlight, a base colour, some variation perhaps, and a shadow line. How do you build a cliff? One block at a time!

I increase the saturation is areas sporadically along the surface of the cliff to add interest and give the feeling of a weathered texture. Using some new colours made by Langridge Handmade Oils, I introduce Transparent Red Oxide to add a dimension to the Cadmium reds. Also, by using Quinacridone Magenta, I can round out my red notes and stop these colours in their tracks if they get too out of hand. There are also some ochre’s present in the scene, so a mixture of Yellow Oxide and Nickel-Azo Yellow integrate with these reds well.

I hope your enjoying the process, if you want videos on painting, you can catch me on youtube @ https://www.youtube.com/user/AndrewTischlerArt
Part 3 Coming soon!

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Very nice work - you are very thorough in explaining your very detailed process - as an artist this is extremely beneficial in understanding how the though process happens while making a painting like this and how complex it can be to work it into something that is extremely aesthetically pleasing. I am following - can't wait to see more!

Thank you J-vo, I'm looking forward to giving more.
looking forward to your posts too!

Holy wacamole! This level of awesomeness is completely beyond the sky! Welcome to Steemit and keep rocking!! Thanks to @samuel-earp-art that resteemed it!

This is awesome painting !! Master piece of art..!! Waiting to see part 3! Great work @andrew.tischler..!! Thanks for sharing this..
Followed you and Resteemed it..! Cheers !!

Fascinating process - thank you for letting us into your world.

A very interesting and informative post, and I can hardly wait for the next one. Brilliant artwork. Great that you tell us a the colours so I will look out for them when I go shopping for materials.

Happy I could help and thanks for the comment.
Look forward to you posting your art here too.

hey man what a talent u have......best in the business ....keep on achieving ur dreams :)

cheers dude!

Very POWERFUL breath-taking piece. Mentally when I first saw it your post I was curious. Then when opened it and saw the image open up on my screen, my mouth fell open. This is stupendous! If I was rich I would have to buy it.

Thanks, I'm happy you appreciate the painting.

  ·  7 years ago (edited)

I love this. Very well done!

The process is amazing, aswell as some detailed shots! Would love to have one of these paintings in my living room some day!

Is there a possibility I can use this work for a try-out project I am doing? :D

Waaaaooouu! Splendide! And very interesting to see the process.

Thanks Lisa!

Inlove wqith your style, watch your every video!

Much much much appreciation for your lessons, I get inspired and take onboard many of them!

Love! :)